How to Choose a Toilet

The toilet is a key component to having a great bathroom. Besides appearance there are many aspects and features that should be considered when selecting the perfect toilet for your bathroom such as size, height, and flushing system. All toilets are not the same so it’s important to find one that best matches your budget and lifestyle.

Here’s what to consider when choosing a new toilet…

Siphonic or Wash Down?

Siphonic
In a siphonic action toilet, the trapway fills with water during the flush which initiates a siphonic action which “pulls” material out of the bowl while the water entering the bowl from the tank through the jet and the rim “pushes” material out. This simultaneous pushing and pulling completely evacuates the bowl during every flush.

Wash DownIn a wash down action toilet, the water from the tank pours into the bowl and washes the material down the outlet. It is a “pushing” action only, and does not evacuate the bowl. These toilets have small (4″ x 5″) water surface areas in the bowls that are deep down in the bowl.

Most US toilets are siphonic; many European toilets are wash down. Most toilets in Greater China are siphonic while many other countries in Asia Pacific are wash down.

What kind of flushing system is right for you?
If you have heavy usage and tend to clog toilets, you should consider a high performance flushing system. Larger flush valves (>2″ diameter) deliver water with more speed and force, and larger trapway outlets (>2″ diameter) move greater amounts of bulk material without clogging.

Double Vortex Flushing System
The Double Vortex Flushing System offers maximum flushing performance, minimum water usage. The design of the bowl propels the water forward and creates a strong flushing momentum. It is also a rimless flushing system that effectively cleans the entire bowl interior, preventing dirt and deposits from building up. This rimless design makes it easy to clean as no dirt can accumulate over time. It’s packed with innovative features that make it ideal for busy and/or large households while providing water savings.

* Available for Acacia Evolution toilets

SiphonMax Flushing System
The SiphonMax Flushing System offers high flushing performance for both heavy and light waste. The trapway of the bowl fills with water from 2 side water channels and initiates a strong siphonic action to evacuate both heavy and light waste.

* Available for Neo Modern, Nobile, Milano one-piece toilets

Is water conservation important to you?

Different parts of the country have different water conservation issues. Dual flush on toilets provide water-savings for both ecological and economical sense. American Standard offers Double Vortex toilets which uses 2.6 litres of water for half flush and 4 litres for full flush. This equates to approximately 22,776 litres of water saved in a year for a family of 4.

* Water savings is based on conventional Single Flush Toilets versus Double Vortex.

One-Piece, or Two-?

One Piece
A “one-piece” toilet is actually six to ten individual pieces sculpted into a seamless unit which has both the tank and the bowl. The result is a sleek, hand-crafted toilet with no crevices between the tank and bowl to collect dirt and odors.

Two Piece
A “two-piece” toilet has a separate bowl and tank which are bolted together. All American Standard bowls have a “sanitary dam,” which is a raised chinaware pier at the back of the bowl onto which the tank is bolted. This raised area acts as a dam so that offending materials can be cleaned off and will not accumulate and cause odors between the bowl and tank.

Is cleanliness important to you?
Consider the ComfortClean™ Surface. It is an ultra-smooth glaze with antimicrobial properties which is applied on top of the conventional glaze and fired-in to the insides of the bowl. It gives the toilet a super smooth finish to which it stays cleaner because dirt has a harder time clinging to it. It also stays cleaner because it inhibits the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, mold, and mildew on the surface. It is available on American Standard’s higher end toilets, such as Acacia Evolution, Milano, Neo Modern, Concept Nuovo and Flexio.

What style do you like?
American Standard offers a wide range of styles, from classic to modern to contemporary. Some modern favorites are in the likes of Acacia Evolution and Neo Modern. Contemporary collections such as Concept Nuovo is great for mixing & matching and Compact Codie provides space solutions.

Round Front or Elongated?
Round front toilets are compact to fit in small spaces. Elongated toilets have extra room in the front for added comfort. American Standard also offers manual bidet and e-bidet seats for a 100% fit and compatibility on pre-selected American Standard toilets.

Do you want a tall bowl?
Many people find that a taller bowl is more comfortable. American Standard offers “Right Height” bowl options for most models. These have a height of between 400-430mm from the floor to the toilet seat, and is based on the ergonomic height of a chair which is between 350mm – 510mm, making it easier to get on and off the toilet, especially for the elderly, pregnant and disabled.

What are your size and rough-in requirements?
Toilets come in various sizes, so check the width, depth, and height of your available space. Most toilets bolt to the floor 12″ from the wall (not counting baseboard). This is the so-called “rough-in” dimension. Measure first to be sure what you need.

Quality Assurance

American Standard toilets are fully tested to ensure superior quality and lasting performance. This includes actually flush testing each bowl at the plant before it is put into the box. Each component must comply with American Standard’s industry-leading product durability standards.